Hi guys, been browsing through the forums, and noticed there are quite a few negative thoughts about teaching in Singapore.
I have recently put in an application for a secondary teaching post at the Orchard Campus of Chatsworth International School, and then found this forum.
I haven't heard back from them yet but I expect that this is because of the weekend and then Chinese New Year.

Does anyone on here know anything about this school? I know it is relatively new and takes on many ESL pupils but thats about it. I sent of an application because I fancied a change, and whilst I am still relatively young with only a wife and no children I thought it may be a good opportunity.

Does anyone have any suggestions to how much I should be looking for wage wise (assuming I get the job, or an interview for that matter as I think I may be too late)? I am currently teaching in the UK on UPS 1 so about £32.5k and am really only looking to have enough to pay bills and a little to save if I was to move abroad as it is more the life experience I am looking for rather than being able to retire early and live of the land etc. I have only been teaching for 6 years.

Any information or advice would be greatly appreciated. Whether I get the job or not it is always useful for future reference.

I do not know the school, but I can speak for the fact that you will need a good salary just to live.

Accommodation will cost you in the vicinity of S$2k up for something in an outer area. HDB flats start at around S$2K pm up higher for a better quality flat. Then there are the utilities; electricity, water, phone, gas (to cook with). Transport fees will cost you up to S$100 pm per person.

Apartments are now up to S$3K pm and up.

While meals in food courts are relatively cheap prices for food to cook at home may be a surprise to you.

If you are a drinker and smoker you will not be happy with these outlandish prices.

thanks for the reply.
Forgot to mention, its not a specific ESL job that I have applied for but rather a phyical education job.
I dont smoke or drink so the cost isnt too much of a problem for me.
I do eat lots though.
Especially when I am in Malaysia or singapore

Using a name pulled from English History for a Singapore school raises a flag for me. Just like when the financial geniuses referred to nonsense instruments as "tranches", using proper nouns in other languages to impress raises my suspicions.

Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 6:20 am Post subject: Re: Using French to impress the English

Chris_Crossley wrote:

Henry_Cowell wrote:

norwalkesl wrote:

... using proper nouns in other languages to impress raises my suspicions.

What is the "other" language here?

Methinks it's French since the French word tranche means "slice".

But the analogy to Singapore is a bit off. English isn't at all an "other" language in Singapore. Neither is English history "other." Chatsworth is, in fact, a not un-common name in Singapore geography. Nobody's trying to impress with it.